Match Preview: Egan join club's list of 100 gamers
While final farewells will be in focus for Shaun Johnson, Jazz Tevaga and Addin Fonua-Blake, hooker Wayde Egan will become the 30th player to appear in 100 NRL games for the One New Zealand Warriors in tonight's season finale against the Sharks.
After joining the Warriors from Penrith in 2020, Egan played his first 50 games for the club in Australia during the Covid era before experiencing his first true home game at Go Media Stadium in July, 2022.
Tonight's match at PointsBet Stadium in Sydney bring a close to the Warriors' 30th season, one which hasn't met the team's expectations.
They face a Cronulla Sutherland side out to solidify its place inside the top four. After a convincing win over the Dragons last weekend they have their sights on a top-two finish to secure a home final in the opening week of the finals.
The Sharks have blasted their way out of a mid-season form slump in recent weeks, winning four in a row to set the stage for a charge towards the finals.
Cronulla will welcome back a number of troops over the next two rounds, with halfback Nicho Hynes confirmed to return tonight.
While the ladder might suggest the Sharks are heavy favourites, the Warriors have plenty to play for.
With the bye in round 27, this is their last game of the season and the 268th and last of Johnson's illustrious career.
It's fitting it comes against Cronulla, the club he represented for three years in between his two stints with the Warriors. At the same time, Tevaga and Fonua-Blake make their final appearances for the club.
Match: Sharks v Warriors
Round 26 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William KennedyFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione KatoaWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Kayal IroCentre for Warriors is number 3 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Centre for Sharks is number 6 Daniel AtkinsonCentre for Warriors is number 4 Ali Leiataua
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Samuel StonestreetWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 22 Nicholas HynesFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Braydon TrindallHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Toby RudolfProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke BraileyHooker for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Oregon KaufusiProp for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora2nd Row for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnesLock for Warriors is number 13 Dylan Walker
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Jack WilliamsInterchange for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Royce HuntInterchange for Warriors is number 11 Marata Niukore
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Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Braden Hamlin-UeleInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Tom Ale
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas HazeltonInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Demitric Sifakula
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Chris Vea'ilaReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Chanel Harris-Tavita
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Team news
Sharks: Halfback Nicho Hynes will make his first appearance since Round 18 having recovered from a ruptured syndesmosis and tibia fracture. He will start the game at five-eighth with Daniel Atkinson moving to the centres and Siosifa Talakai dropping out with a calf injury. Winger Sione Katoa returns from concussion protocols but Ronaldo Mulitalo will sit out a second-straight week as he continues to battle a knee injury. Jesse Ramien misses the game due to suspension.
One New Zealand Warriors: Shaun Johnson is preparing for the last game of his career and will be looking to go out on a high. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will miss the clash after failing an HIA last week, with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad moving to the centres and Taine Tuapiki coming in at fullback. Ali Leiataua is the other new face in the backline after centre Adam Pompey fell victim to a knee injury. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update.
Match: Sharks v Warriors
Round 26 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Warriors
13th Position
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
Stat attack
- The Sharks have won seven from nine at PointsBet Stadium this season.
- Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson will play the final game of his career.
- Warriors hooker Wayde Egan will play his 100th game for the club.
- Sharks captain Cameron McInnes will make his 200th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
